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Chennai court convicts biriyani vendor A Gnanasekaran, sentencing him to life imprisonment in the December 2024 sexual assault case after a swift trial.
On Monday, a Chennai court sentenced a 37-year-old man to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 30 years without remission, for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old Anna University student after trespassing on the campus in December 2024.
Judge M. Rajalakshmi pronounced the sentence, emphasizing the gravity of the crime. On Wednesday, five months after the assault at the premier university sparked widespread concerns over women’s safety and state-wide protests, she convicted Gnanasekaran.
Gnanasekaran was found guilty on all charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act, and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. He was brought to court from Puzhal Central Prison for the sentencing.
According to the First Information Report, Gnanasekaran forced the student to perform sexual acts. Working as a vendor near the university, he had a history of criminal activity, with 20 other cases filed against him and convictions in six, including petty crimes like theft and housebreaking.
The student told police that Gnanasekaran appeared from behind after secretly recording private moments of her friend on his mobile phone. He threatened to leak the video to her father and college authorities. Gnanasekaran first physically assaulted the student’s friend, a third-year student. The student pleaded with him not to release the video. He then took her friend aside, asking her to wait at the same spot, before leading the 19-year-old to a secluded area about 200 meters away, where he sexually assaulted her. Gnanasekaran also took photos of her ID card and her father’s contact number, warning her to keep meeting him or he would release the videos.
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), criticized for alleged connections to Gnanasekaran, praised the swift verdict delivered within five months, highlighting the government’s commitment to women’s safety. DMK leader RS Bharathi stated that Gnanasekaran was arrested within 24 hours of the crime being reported, a charge sheet was filed within 60 days on February 24, and the police gathered strong evidence leading to the conviction in just five months. He affirmed that the government will not tolerate crimes against women.
Opposition leader Edappadi Palaniswami of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) credited the party’s state-wide protests for the swift conviction in the case. However, he emphasized that several important questions remain unanswered and vowed to ensure that all those involved in the crime are held accountable.
The AIADMK campaigned for justice, raising the question: “Who is that, Sir?” According to the student’s police complaint, Gnanasekaran was heard speaking on the phone, addressing someone as ‘sir’ and seemingly taking instructions from them.
Chennai police chief A. Arun clarified that Gnanasekaran had switched his phone to airplane mode and pretended to speak to someone, referring to that imaginary person as “sir” to intimidate the student. He confirmed that there are no other suspects in the case.
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The AIADMK continued its “sir campaign,” bringing placards to the state assembly demanding, “Who is that, sir?” They alleged that Gnanasekaran had links to the DMK, pointing to photos of him posing with DMK ministers. In response, Chief Minister MK Stalin clarified that while Gnanasekaran was a DMK supporter, he was not a party member, and assured that justice would be served.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K. Annamalai, who protested the assault by whipping himself six times, accused Tamil Nadu police of leaking the student’s identity. He also released photos showing Gnanasekaran with Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Minister M. Subramanian, labeling Gnanasekaran a repeat offender and a DMK functionary. The DMK rejected the allegations, stating that anyone can take photos with government officials.
AIADMK and BJP workers, including former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, staged protests outside the university campus and district collectorates.
In response to the assault, Anna University increased security by deploying more personnel and installing additional CCTVs across the campus. The police and university also conducted a joint security audit to strengthen safety measures.
The Madras High Court took suo motu cognizance of the case, directing the state government to pay ₹25 lakh in compensation to the 19-year-old student and ordering Anna University to sponsor her education due to lapses in ensuring her safety. The court also appointed an all-women Special Investigation Team to investigate the assault.
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